Punjab Newsline, Chandigarh, April 26 -
As Haryana gears up for the Lok Sabha General Elections-2024, a steadfast commitment to fairness and transparency under the guidelines set by the Election Commission of India and the Model Code of Conduct is being diligently maintained in the State. The Election Commission is resolute in safeguarding voters from any form of inducement, with a keen focus on monitoring the movement of illicit substances such as liquor, drugs, and cash across the state.
A comprehensive effort by various agencies has resulted in the seizure of illicit liquor, drugs, and cash valued at over Rs 25.45 crore in Haryana so far, highlighting the rigorous enforcement measures undertaken to uphold electoral integrity.
Divulging more details in this regard Chief Electoral Officer Anurag Agarwal said that stringent action has been taken by the police, Income Tax Department, Excise and Taxation Department, and Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) in the state after the imposition of the Model Code of Conduct. As a result of which, a total of Rs. 4.33 crore illicit cash has been seized, including Rs. 71.21 lakh seized by the police, Rs. 81.19 lakh by the Income Tax Department, Rs. 3.04 lakh by the Excise Department, and Rs. 278 lakh by the DRI, he shared.
Besides this, various agencies have confiscated over 2,67,821 liters of illicit liquor valued at Rs 8.40 crore. This includes 1,75,140 liters seized by the police worth Rs 552.23 lakh and 92,669 liters seized by the Excise Department worth Rs 288.19 lakh, said Anurag Agarwal.
He said that a total of 5,844.44 kg of drugs, narcotics worth Rs 9.38 crore, have been seized by the agencies. The police have seized 5,839.18 kg of narcotics worth Rs 9.34 crore. Additionally, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has confiscated 2 kg of drugs valued at Rs 4 lakh. Apart from this, valuables worth Rs 1.73 crore and other items worth Rs 1.59 crore have also been seized.
Citizens Vigilant: Reporting Model Code of Conduct Violations Ahead of Haryana Elections
The Chief Electoral Officer said that the notification for elections in Haryana is to be issued on April 29, but the voters of the state are already very aware. Despite the official notification for elections scheduled on April 29, voters have already raised 2541 complaints through the C-Vigil mobile app. Out of these complaints, after scrutiny by the Returning Officers and Assistant Returning Officers, 2195 complaints were found to be true, on which action has been taken as per rules.